Nonverbal Communication Annette M. Holba Denise Hutchins University Days 2017

Principles of Nonverbal Communication This is how nonverbal communication is different from verbal communication: Use multiple channels simultaneously More ambiguous than verbal communication Has fewer rules Has more meaning (greater impact on our impressions of others) Influenced by culture (more than verbal) Influenced by gender (women are better than men at sending messages nonverbally and interpreting nonverbal messages – according to studies) Liberated through and by technology Nonverbal and verbal co-create communication

Nonverbal Communication Codes Kinesics Vocalics Haptics Proxemics Chronemics Physical Appearance Artifacts Environment

Kinesics Facial Expressions Eye Contact Gestures Posture Emblems – for words Illustrators – demonstrate Regulators – conversational turns Adaptors – psychological or physical purpose (nervousness) Posture Immediacy Power

Vocalics Talking in certain ways…..voice characteristics Tone - emphasis Pitch – changing pitch Loudness - capitalization Speech Rate – a nonverbal part of verbal communication Also, utterances such as sighs, grunts, etc. (paralanguage)

Haptics Communicating through touch Types Duration Part of body touched Strength of touch Types Functional-professional Social-polite Friendship-warmth Love-intimacy Sexual-arousal Aggressive-hostile

Communication through space Proxemics Communication through space Intimate space – 0-18 inches Personal space – 18 inches-4 feet Social space – 4-12 feet Public space – 12 feet or more ***changes from culture to culture – this is for United States Territoriality

Communication through time Chronemics Communication through time M-time – (monochronic) time manage and careful scheduling; time is like a gift and you show you care by spending time with another (can also use time to punish) P-time – (polychronic) time is not a resource to be spent, saved, or guarded; time can’t be wasted either Time also differs culturally; time differences can cause conflict

Physical Appearance Hair Clothing Body type Physical attractiveness All influence our personal encounters; how you look conveys equally to what you convey verbally

Communicating through objects Artifacts Communicating through objects Body ornaments Personal spaces Kinds of things you surround yourself with

The physical features of your environment communicate

Functions of Nonverbal Communication Convey meaning Express emotion Present the self Manage interactions Define relationships

Manage your Nonverbal Communication Build your active listening skills (pay attention to what your body does) Know your cultural displays and adapt (culture is important to consider) Be sensitive to the demands of the situation (use appropriate nonverbal communication) Verbal and nonverbal communication are counterparts

References Devito, J. (2016). Human communication: The basic course. Boston, MA: Pearson